Not A Good Day (Wrecked My Truck)
 

First thing to tell you all is that I am okay, save a badly bruised left elbow and some sore muscles, shoulder and hip stiffness. I can tell you that my seatbelt saved my life as the truck would have ended up on top of me. Even though it was only a lap belt, it held me in the truck.

I didn't hit any other cars, and had lost control making a quick left hand turn onto a rural state highway. I ended up in the far ditch, and hit it pretty hard. I'll spare all the details, and if anyone really wants to know them, I can tell you in a PM.

The frame might be tweaked, and there might even be some cab damage. The radiator support was pushed back 3 inches on the drivers side, and the front bumper is pushed under the truck. The hood is bent pretty bad on the passenger side where it hit the cowl. The drivers side front fender is toast, and there's not much straight metal anywhere from the cab forward. The grille might be able to be saved, along with the headlight bezels.

So not sure what we're gonna do at this point. Just waiting for the weather to get decent so we can push it out of the garage and pull it apart to assess the damage. Of course all I have for insurance is plain old liability, so having any kind of kickback from insurance isn't gonna happen.

The engine, tranny, rear end, and my old school ET slots made it through unscathed. So if worse comes to worst I can always transplant those into another truck.

One thing I can say is that I wasn't prepared for this at all. You never think it can happen to you. I've owned some form of a hot rod for the last 30 years, and this is the first one I've ever had any kind of accident in. I'll keep you guys updated. I'll be snapping picks as we tear it apart.

Gary

Re: Not A Good Day (Wrecked My Truck)
 

Very sorry to hear about your misfortune. I'm glad you are ok. It hurts, but you can always rebuild a truck. I hope it works out that you can use many parts for the reconstruction.

Re: Not A Good Day (Wrecked My Truck)
 

Sorry to hear about the truck, but you'll rebuild it, there's only one of you, And not many spare parts are available.... Glad to hear your Allright!!!

I was hit pretty hard in my 67 years ago, I went thru and the truck ended up better than before the accident . Heal up right and dig in!

Re: Not A Good Day (Wrecked My Truck)
 

So sorry about your truck, Very happy your relatively ok. I had a similar incident with a 7 day old 2006 GMC Duramax, Bought it on 0% interest with no money down, purchased the $350.00 GAP insurance for the first time in my life. I hooked on to a loaded flatbed with faulty trailer brakes and ten minutes later had to ditch it at 55 MPH to keep from wiping out traffic in front of me.... totaled everything, I was fortunate AAA took care of all costs but its a wake up call, because your correct, we never think it will be us...... Speedy Recovery, feel better soon and good luck with whatever you decide to do with the truck.

Re: Not A Good Day (Wrecked My Truck)
 

Question is, is it drivable? If you need a hoist to get it up in the air to check things out you are welcome to use mine. I'm over in Arlington.

Re: Not A Good Day (Wrecked My Truck)
 

Well there is plenty of good news here. First is you are ok and no one else was involved. Second is your truck can be repaired. I bet you can even save the grille. A collision shop can pull that frame, core support and fender forward and square up the door which is probably not closing the same too.
On the other hand if you ever thought you might want a 67-68 front end on it, as so many do these days, now is the perfect time.
It could have been so much worse.

Re: Not A Good Day (Wrecked My Truck)
 

Thank goodness you're ok and in one piece. Our Washington roads are not very forgiving this time of year especially where I am with snow. Im glad you had your seat belt on. As was mentioned, if you ever planned on doing the front end I guess now would be the perfect time!

Re: Not A Good Day (Wrecked My Truck)
 

Glad to hear you are ok and hope the truck is rebuildable

Re: Not A Good Day (Wrecked My Truck)
 

Sorry to see this, glad you’ll be OK. Either as a donor or a recipient that’s a sharp truck even as it sits. Working on a ’76 I was surprised how easily the frames can move around but they also straighten back up pretty easily. Good luck

Re: Not A Good Day (Wrecked My Truck)
 

Glad your ok, that's the most important thing! I'm sure your truck will roll again.

Re: Not A Good Day (Wrecked My Truck)
 

Hey it happens to all of us eventually. Just glad your okay as you'll be in a truck again in no time!

Re: Not A Good Day (Wrecked My Truck)
 

Glad to hear your OK Gary. I have always loved the look of your truck. I am sure you will do what is best as far as getting it or another one back on the road.

Take care,
Tom

Re: Not A Good Day (Wrecked My Truck)
 

I know your pain, glad you're ok. I hope you fix it, I have always liked your truck. Good luck..

Re: Not A Good Day (Wrecked My Truck)
 

Any wreck you walk away from with just needing some sheet metal is a good outcome.

Re: Not A Good Day (Wrecked My Truck)
 

Sorry to see and hear about this but glad you're ok.

Re: Not A Good Day (Wrecked My Truck)
 

Glad to hear your OK Gary!

Re: Not A Good Day (Wrecked My Truck)
 

Glad you were ok also, that was a nice looking GMC sorry it got damage but you can bring her back.

Re: Not A Good Day (Wrecked My Truck)
 

Sorry about your accident. You must have been fish tailing for some distance, I don't see the road you turned off of.

Re: Not A Good Day (Wrecked My Truck)
 

These old trucks keep us safe, this accident shows that well. Sorry to hear the truck got slightly damaged, but at least you are ok. I am sure your truck will be able to get back on the road in no time with your efforts.

Keep us up to date on how you are doing.

Re: Not A Good Day (Wrecked My Truck)
 

I am sure that to fix 'eer up,we can scrounge stuff to help her get back on the road. The big issue is no one got hurt. If I live closer I would love to come and help out

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That's pretty badly damaged. Good thing you made it out ok. Sucks to see one of these or any old classic get bent up.

Re: Not A Good Day (Wrecked My Truck)
 

As soon as I saw the headline I thought "oh ***!" Glad you are OK. Relax, take stock, figure out how to fix it.

Re: Not A Good Day (Wrecked My Truck)
 

Glad to hear you are ok. I'm willing to donate a nice original drivers side GMC fender to help get your truck back on the road. I'm in Lacey, Washington if you want to shoot down and pick it up.

Re: Not A Good Day (Wrecked My Truck)
 

Sorry, I went and looked really quick and it is a passenger side but, it seems like yours is still tweaked. If you need a passenger side let me know

Re: Not A Good Day (Wrecked My Truck)
 

Glad your ok. That truck is too cool not to save.

Re: Not A Good Day (Wrecked My Truck)
 

Firstly; it's good that you came through relatively okay. So sorry for you with regard to the truck, it looks like a beaut'. Every cloud has a silvers lining, I'm sure something good will come out of this...

Re: Not A Good Day (Wrecked My Truck)
 

If you ever thought about freshening it up......now you can.
Glad your alright.

Re: Not A Good Day (Wrecked My Truck)
 

:jdp:Oh my God ! And I thought I had a bad day when I was out of coffee this morning. Dude That sucks a lot more then no coffee. I'm sorry. But I'm glad your ok..

Re: Not A Good Day (Wrecked My Truck)
 

wow, very sorry to hear (and see) about your accident man!!...glad your ok.
The truck doesn't look like a write off so with a few little tweaks and some sheet metal pieces....it probaby won't take much to get 'er going again if thats the plan!!
Very best of luck with it and keep us posted on the progress....both yours....and your trucks!
Coley

Re: Not A Good Day (Wrecked My Truck)
 

It's very fortunate you weren't seriously injured. I wish you the best and most speedy recovery, and all the best for minimal damage to your truck. If there are any misc. pieces you need replaced, I may have something laying around I don't need. Best of luck with your assessment.

Re: Not A Good Day (Wrecked My Truck)
 

Glad your ok, that is the most important thing. I hope your able to fix your truck, I've always loved the look of your truck, I'm going for a similar look with mine.

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Man sorry to hear about this, glad you walked away!

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Sorry to hear about your accident Gary. I'm glad your okay. I think you should be able to fix her right up. I don't know how far down island you typically go, but I notice just south of Freeland, there is an orange 3/4 ton that looks like a parts truck. It's a couple of miles south of Freeland, on the south side of the road. I'd guess that since I think the guy sold his truck,(by all appearances anyway) he might give you a deal on his parts truck. It appears to be mostly there except the hood which he used on his other truck which was up for sale and I think is now sold. You might drive down(or get a ride, sorry) and ask if he'll part with it. Between the two trucks, you might be back in shape.:metal:

Re: Not A Good Day (Wrecked My Truck)
 

Good to hear your ok. Sorry about your truck though.

Re: Not A Good Day (Wrecked My Truck)
 

Sorry I have been away from the computer for a couple of days. I am overwhelmed with emotion from the comments and generosity of the members of this forum. I thank each and every one of you.

I am going to start pulling sheetmetal off, and take some measurements of the frame to see if she is still square. I will document the teardown, and rebuild. I do want to keep this truck if I can. But if the frame is too far gone I don't know what avenue I'll take. I hit that ditch at about 40mph. The damage is a little more extensive than the pics show, but that tuck absorbed a lot of it. If the fan wouldn't have been hitting the radiator shroud when I got it to fire back up, I would have been able to drive it home! :)

To the cats that offered up help and parts, I am honored by your generosity. I haven't got the words to express my gratitude. I will be hitting some of you up, as I start this process. It's finally sinking in that I wrecked my truck, and how lucky I actually am. Again... even a simple stock lap belt saved my life. Hard to believe that just a mere 20 years ago, I never wore a seat belt of any kind. This crash has made me rethink the way I drive any vehicle.

When I tear into it I'll start another build thread to keep up with the progress. I hit an annual 3 day car/truck show/cruise in up in Deming, WA every year. It is the end of August. We're hoping to have this truck up and in shape for that event.

Again... my wife and I would like to thank everyone from the bottom of our hearts! You guys and gals rock! :)

Gary

Re: Not A Good Day (Wrecked My Truck)
 

Sorry to hear about this, at least you're ok!

Re: Not A Good Day (Wrecked My Truck)
 

Hey Gary I used to hate wearing seat belts, I felt like a fool putting one on when the law was passed here in Washington, but now i don't even feel comfortable with just a lap belt, i installed a shoulder harness (3pt) about 6 years ago and wouldn't be without it.

When you do post a new thread do us a favor and come back to this thread with the link so we don't miss the tear down ok?

I'd like to learn more of this 3 day car/truck show/cruise in up in Deming too, who puts it on?

Re: Not A Good Day (Wrecked My Truck)
 

I will definately link a new thread here so you can find it. I took some pictures last night but need to upload them to my computer. Space in my garage is at a minimum, so this will be a challenge no matter what. :)

I took some measurements and the bed is still pretty square only 3/16" off from corner to corner. I made sure I had proper air pressure in all 4 tires, and measured from the frame to the floor in 3 spots on both sides. When I compared both sides it was off by 1/2" in 2 spots and almost dead on on the last spot. So it appears that the frame is okay. Now just sheetmetal and time. I think this will be the time to cut the rust out of the cab and put new cab mounts in. :)

I'll start another thread later today with the initial damage pics. :)

Oh... the car show in Deming is the last weekend in August and is hosted by a car club called "The 4th Corner Elites". Good club, and the car show is called the "Summer Fun Run". You can camp on the grounds at the Deming Logging Show. So people get there on Friday and stay through to Sunday. It's a big party and it's all contained on the grounds so it's a pretty unique car show. The actual car show is pretty much all day on Saturday, and there is an awards assembly and raffle on Sunday. Good time!

Gary

Re: Not A Good Day (Wrecked My Truck)
 

Thanks for the info Gary! Deming is a long ways north but i have been on a day ride up as far as Blaine on a few occasions so ya never know..

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I'm originally from Orting... So I am usually headed south from here to visit mom and pop. Deming is about an hour from me. Whether my truck is ready or not... We'll be at the Deming show camping and havin' a blast. :) If you do decide to head that way this year... let me know! :)

Gary